Dallas Theft and Shoplifting Lawyer
How theft charges in Dallas are graded, which court hears them, and which Dallas County programs can end them without a conviction.
In short: In Dallas, as everywhere in Texas, the value of the property sets the theft charge. Under $100 is a Class C misdemeanor, usually handled in the Dallas Municipal Court. Theft of $100 or more goes to the Dallas County courts at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, and $2,500 or more is a felony. The Dallas County Criminal District Attorney's Office runs pretrial intervention programs for first-time offenders, and successful completion leads to dismissal.
Our office is in downtown Dallas at 325 N St. Paul Street.
How is theft graded in Texas?
| Value of property | Offense level | Where a Dallas case is usually heard |
|---|---|---|
| Less than $100 | Class C misdemeanor, fine up to $500 | Dallas Municipal Court or a justice of the peace court |
| $100 to less than $750 | Class B misdemeanor, up to 180 days jail | Dallas County Criminal Courts |
| $750 to less than $2,500 | Class A misdemeanor, up to 1 year jail | Dallas County Criminal Courts |
| $2,500 to less than $30,000 | State jail felony, 180 days to 2 years | Dallas County Criminal District Courts |
| $30,000 to less than $150,000 | Third degree felony, 2 to 10 years | Dallas County Criminal District Courts |
| $150,000 to less than $300,000 | Second degree felony, 2 to 20 years | Dallas County Criminal District Courts |
| $300,000 or more | First degree felony, 5 to 99 years or life | Dallas County Criminal District Courts |
Source: Texas Penal Code § 31.03 Source: Texas Penal Code Chapter 12 Source: Dallas Municipal Court
Some facts raise the charge above what the value alone would set, including prior theft convictions, theft from a person, theft of a firearm, and setting off a fire exit alarm or defeating a retail theft detector. See the full Texas Theft Value Ladder.
Is shoplifting charged differently in Dallas?
No. Texas has no separate shoplifting offense. Shoplifting is usually charged as theft under Section 31.03. Source: Texas Penal Code § 31.02 Repeat or group thefts from a merchant can be charged as organized retail theft, which is graded more harshly. It becomes a state jail felony at $750, and the two-thefts-in-180-days route does not require anyone else to be involved. Source: Texas Penal Code § 31.16 See Shoplifting in Texas.
Where are Dallas theft cases heard?
- Class C theft under $100 is usually a fine-only case the Dallas Municipal Court hears at 2014 Main St., though some are filed in a justice of the peace court. Source: Dallas Municipal Court
- Class A and B theft goes to the Dallas County Criminal Courts at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, 133 N. Riverfront Blvd. Source: Dallas County Criminal Court No. 1
- Felony theft goes to the Dallas County Criminal District Courts in the same building. Source: Dallas County Criminal District Court No. 2
Can a Dallas theft case be dismissed through a program?
Possibly. The Dallas County Criminal District Attorney's Office runs:
- Misdemeanor Pre-Trial Intervention for first-time misdemeanor offenders. On completion, the prosecutor submits a dismissal.
- Felony Pre-Trial Intervention focused on first-time, non-violent felony offenders. Referrals must be submitted before indictment or within 120 days of indictment. On successful completion, the charge is dismissed.
- AIM Court for people age 17 to 24 with a first-time, non-aggravated felony case.
Source: Dallas County DA Restorative Justice
Acceptance depends on each program's criteria and the prosecutor's review. For people who do not qualify, Texas law generally allows deferred adjudication in theft cases, which ends in dismissal and discharge if completed. Source: Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 42A.102 Source: Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Art. 42A.111
For a Class C case, the municipal court may allow deferred disposition, which ends in dismissal with no final conviction if the person complies. Source: Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Arts. 45A.302 and 45A.305
What defenses apply to Dallas theft charges?
- No intent to deprive. A mistake at self-checkout or a forgotten item is not the same as intent.
- Value. The State must prove value, and value is fair market value at the time and place of the offense, or replacement cost if that cannot be determined. For organized retail theft of merchandise, value is the posted sales price including sales tax. Source: Texas Penal Code § 31.08
- Identity. Store video and loss-prevention reports can be wrong.
- Aggregation. Separate incidents can be added together only if they were part of one scheme or continuing course of conduct. Source: Texas Penal Code § 31.09
Common questions
Is shoplifting a felony in Dallas?
Usually not. Shoplifting under $2,500 is usually a misdemeanor. It becomes a felony at $2,500 or more, or at lower amounts with two or more prior theft convictions.
Where do I go for a Dallas shoplifting ticket?
A Class C theft under $100 is usually handled in the Dallas Municipal Court at 2014 Main St. Check the court listed on your citation.
Can a first theft charge in Dallas be dismissed?
It can. The Dallas County Criminal District Attorney's pretrial intervention programs for first-time offenders lead to dismissal on successful completion. Deferred adjudication is another path.
What is the punishment for Class B theft in Dallas?
Up to 180 days in county jail, a fine up to $2,000, or both.
Is theft over $2,500 a felony in Dallas?
Yes. Theft of $2,500 to under $30,000 is a state jail felony, punishable by 180 days to 2 years in a state jail.
Last updated October 2026
How do I get started?
Talk with Texas Criminal Defense Attorneys PLLC about your Dallas case. Call 214-305-9640 for a free consultation. Criminal defense consultations are free. Your consultation is with our Director of Client Engagement, not an attorney. If you hire us, an attorney handles your case.
Texas Criminal Defense Attorneys PLLC, 325 N St. Paul Street, Suite 3129, Dallas, TX 75201.
This page is general information about Texas law, not legal advice about your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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This page provides general information about Texas law. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.